mal de ojo
/ˌmal de ˈoxo/masculine
The English phrase 'evil eye' is translated into Spanish as mal de ojo.
mal de ojo refers to a wicked look conveying dislike or envy believed to be able to cause bad luck or injury, or the ability to cause such injury through a look. To express that someone is afflicted by the evil eye, use the phrase tener mal de ojo. In informal contexts, the word Envidia can also be used to refer to the evil eye.
Meaning: wicked look conveying dislike or envy believed to be able to cause bad luck or injury, the ability to cause bad luck or injury through such a look (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'evil of eye'.
How does it change in a sentence?
mal de ojo is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌmal de ˈoxo/
When do people say it?
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, mal de ojo is a common folk belief where envy or intense stares can cause illness, particularly in infants.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, it is believed that a compliment given without mentioning God or a protective phrase can accidentally trigger mal de ojo.
- In many Spanish-speaking communities, a common remedy for mal de ojo involves a ritual with a raw egg to 'absorb' the bad energy.
- The English word 'ogle' is a distant linguistic relative of the Spanish word ojo, as both trace back to the same Proto-Indo-European root for 'eye'.
Examples in context
- Una vez, una bruja le echó un mal de ojo a Cristóbal Colón… y nunca lo recuperó.A witch once gave Christopher Columbus an evil eye… and never got it back.This sentence shows an example of a witch giving the evil eye to someone using mal de ojo.Tatoeba #575483 by Shishir, translation #573500 by FeuDRenais2
- ¿Creéis en el mal de ojo?Do you believe in the Evil Eye?This sentence is useful for asking if someone believes in the concept of mal de ojo.Tatoeba #1286940 by enteka, translation #1309842 by enteka
- Mi éxito le provocó envidia y me echó el mal de ojo.My success made him envious, and he gave me the evil eye.
- La gente decía que había mala vibra en esa casa debido al mal de ojo.People said there was bad energy in that house due to the evil eye.
- Ese bebé tiene mal de ojo.That baby has the evil eye.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are talking about a lucky charm.
- JavierJavier: ¿Por qué llevas esa pulsera roja, Elena?Why are you wearing that red bracelet, Elena?
- ElenaElena: Es para protegerme del mal de ojo.It is to protect me from the evil eye.
- JavierJavier: No sabía que creyeras en esas cosas.I didn't know you believed in those things.
- ElenaElena: Solo quiero tener buena suerte hoy.I just want to have good luck today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “evil eye” translations and entries mal de ojo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, mal, ojo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
